Police expose huge sewage truck price fixing racket

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) yesterday received a batch of reports from the police on price collusion in sewage truck procurement in eight provinces.

In its 60,000-page investigative report, police accused officials at the local administration organisation level and private companies in Phetchabun, Sing Buri, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Chon Buri, Rayong, Nonthaburi and Phitsanulok of being involved in dubious procurement of sewage trucks. The alleged malfeasance has cost the state 26 million baht, according to the report delivered at the NACC’s office yesterday by Pol Col Chak Pengsathorn, deputy commander of the police CounterCorruption Division (CCD).

The report listed names of at least 40 officials involved which included names of eight board members from various companies. Aside from the eight provinces implicated in the report, separate investigations into sewage truck procurement in Chiang Mai and Si Sa Ket are also under way.

Chiang Mai provincial authorities are expected to file a police complaint against suspects next month. Meanwhile, Si Sa Ket authorities are also looking to lodge complaints to police too, according to Pol Col Chak.

The CCD had earlier forwarded its probe into 20 LAOs to the NACC for further investigation.

The CCD said doubtful procurement started with inflated and rigged median pricing among sewage truck providers which led to overpriced procurement.

Sutthiphong Juljaroen, director-general of the DLA, said earlier this month he had ordered every provincial governor nationwide check on possible price collusion in the procurement of sewage trucks.

The move came after the CCD found irregularities that suggested corruption in procurement projects at certain local administrations.

All provincial governors were ordered to report back to the DLA and advised to conduct their own probes. If local administrators are found guilty, civil, criminal and disciplinary action will be pursued against them.